Kamali eyes Olympic shop window

Dubai: UAE Olympic football captain Hamdan Al Kamali is hoping the nation's debut at this summer's London Games can lead to more Emirati players finding clubs abroad.

Speaking to Fifa.com, the 22-year-old centre-back on loan to Lyon from Al Wahda since January, echoed the views of Wigan's Omani keeper Ali Al Habsi, the GCC's only other European export, when he said improvements to local football centered on players gaining experience abroad.

Al Kamali said: "We have a lot of talent back home, but our football can only progress if we get more contact with foreign championships.

"Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan [Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces] has done a lot for football and the UAE Football Association takes care of training youngsters.

"I hope that taking part in the London Olympics will attract attention to Emirati players and that they'll get the opportunity to play abroad."

Speaking of their London 2012 pooling with Uruguay, Great Britain and Senegal, Al Kamali added: "We're pleased to have been drawn in such a difficult group as we can only improve by facing these opponents.

"It won't be easy for us, but we're happy because we'll be playing in Europe's most prestigious stadiums, like Wembley and Old Trafford. I hope we can show the whole world the progress Emirati football has made.

"Our main goal is to get out of the group. If we can manage to do that, things will become easier for us as we'll only be one match away from the semi-finals. I hope we can reach that stage."

Kamali added: "To appear in an international competition like this one is of course very important, especially as we'll be taking on teams who have a lot of players based in Europe.

"We'll have a lot of responsibility on our shoulders as it will be the Emirate's first ever appearance in it. For us, this qualification is historic. We're going to compete in an international tournament with teams of a very high standard, and I hope we can represent Emirati football in the right way."

Speaking of his own move to Lyon, where he's yet to make a first team appearance, Kamali said: "I have to thank Al Wahda club president Shaikh Diab Bin Zayed Al Nahyan [Director of the Presidential Court] and all the officials who gave me the chance to try my luck abroad. I hope I don't disappoint them, despite the size of the task ahead of me. So far, everything has gone as expected."